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9-Day Dolomites Alta Via 1 Full Trek

9-Day Dolomites Alta Via 1 Full Trek

9 days

9-Day Dolomites Alta Via 1 Full Trek
from $2295 USD

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Truly a hiker's paradise, thousands of trails wind their way between the fantastic pinnacles of the jagged Dolomite Mountains, and the Alta Via represent the "best of the best." These routes are multi-day, hut-to-hut alpine tours, and offer some the most breathtaking, challenging, multi-day trails available in this mountainous wonderland.

The Alta Via 1 is a fantastic trek, highlighted by breathtaking views, rustic and lively mountain refuges, a sense of excitement of what lies around the next bend or the next pass and the satisfaction of traveling by foot through this beautiful and remote area. On this quick getaway, we've shortened the classic trek from 11 days to 6, but retained all the highlights and excitement of traveling across the Dolomites! Our linear trip travels north to south through the Italian Alps, covering the first portion of the AV1; beginning in the Italian Südtirol, moving south through the Pragser and Tofana mountain groups, visiting the Fanes area, and concluding at Mount Lagazuoi.

The impressiveness of the scenery and the variety of terrain on this route is matched only by the warmth and hospitality offered by the mountain huts. The unusual contrasts in landscapes, changing colours and textures of the mountains and curious mix of Italian and Austrian influences means fantastic hiking, stunning scenery, and plenty of pasta!

Available early June through end of September.

Accommodations are just examples -- actual accommodation will depend on availability. Rifugios are shared dormitories unless requested and available.

It is easiest to access the trek from Venice.

Full Itinerary DETAILED ITINERARY >> ITINERARY IN BRIEF >>

Day 1: 9-DAY ALTA VIA TREK / Arrive in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Dolomites

Arrive in Cortina d'Ampezzo (1,224m / 4,016') on your own and check into your hotel (private transfer available on request). Cortina d'Ampezzo is a charming alpine resort town surrounded by stunning peaks. Host to the 1956 Winter Olympics, Cortina enjoys a reputation for great skiing in winter, and in the summer attracts hikers and climbers who challenge the rocky faces of the nearby mountains. This chic Venetian town also caters to the high society crowd, offering many year-round social activities, shopping, and fine dining.

Depending on when you arrive, you may have time for a hike or to explore Cortina d'Ampezzo's pedestrian walkway, the Corso Italia, lined with restaurants and cafes, antique shops, art galleries, and boutiques.

If you are doing this trip as a self-guided adventure, you will meet with a local representative who will provide a trip briefing and orientation, as well as maps, and everything necessary for your self-guided adventure, typically around 6-7pm. Guided treks have their briefing tomorrow.

Meals included: n/a
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Beppe Sello (Cortina)

Day 2: Hiking from Lago di Braies to Sennes (BD)

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For guided treks, you will meet with your guide who will provide a full trip briefing and orientation at 8:30am. Self-guided treks have a briefing the night before.

Starting at a beautiful alpine lake set amidst forest and soaring Dolomite peaks, this is a thrilling opening to Alta Via N.1. It entails a straightforward steady climb to a high-altitude plateau with wide reaching vistas.

Take a 50 minutes transfer to Lago di Braies (1,494m / 4,901') and start a 800m / 2,625' climb on a well-trodden path following a scree river colonized by dwarf mountain pines. Marvelous views open over Val Foresta and its peaks.

Enter the Natural Park of Dolomiti d'Ampezzo: the panorama is vast and breathtaking. Reach your home for tonight. There is an optional additional hike to the top of the Col di Lasta (2,997m / 7,536').

(~5 hours hiking, 13,3km / 8,3 miles, 1,179m / 3,871' ascent, 718m / 2,358' descent. Additional hike 2km / 1,2 miles, 210m / 689' ascent, 33m / 108' descent one way.)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Rifugio Pederu

Day 3: Hike Altopiano di Fanes (BD)

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Departing your rifugio this morning, you’ll hike downhill towards Rifugio Pederù (1,548m / 5,079'). The trail travels on a steep dirt road for 40 minutes (the last part of the road approaching the rifugio is a 20% slope). From Rifugio Pederù, hike uphill in the direction of Lago di Limo. When you reach Lake Lé Piciodel you’ll hike through a charming landscape studded with little lakes and rounded mountain-tops along the Ru d’Al Plan River. At the fork, continue toward your rifugio for tonight. Located just beneath the Limo Pass, you’ll have a splendid view of the Tofane Mountains.

(~4 hours hiking 7,4km / 4,6 miles, 700m / 2,298' ascent, 599m / 1,966' descent.)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Rifugio Fanes

Day 4: Hike Cime di Fanis & Lagazuoi Massif (BD)

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Today is a lovely hike through the Altopiano di Fanes to the Lagazuoi Massif. You'll enjoy beautiful panoramas of the Western Dolomites and the Marmolada Massif, the "Queen of the Dolomites."

From your rifugio, Alta Via N.1 continues through the beautiful high meadow and karst formations, climbing to the Forcella del Lago, a narrow and dramatic gap in the mountain with a trail descent through steep talus on the south side. At the base of the slope is the lake called Lago di Lagazuoi whose green waters are framed by pines with a backdrop of the sheer walls of the Cima del Lago and the Cima Scotoni. From the lake, the path begins the long, steady climb to your rifugio. Entering open, rocky terrain, you will come across ruins from the First World War, en route to your rifugio, one of the highest in all the Dolomites (2,752m / 9,029'), with incredible 360-degree vistas.

(~6 hours hiking 11,5km / 7,2 miles, 1,121m / 3,679' ascent, 515m / 1,690' descent.)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Rifugio Lagazuoi

Day 5: Hiking Cinque Torri (BD)

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This stage is of great interest for both the spectacular mountains around and the abundance of reminders of the terrible years of WWI, due to the vicinity of the former border between the long-dismantled Hapsburg Empire and Italy.

Hike a memorable traverse below the awesome Tofana di Rozes, ascending Forcella Lagazuoi (2,573m / 8,442'), Forcella Travenanzes (2,507m / 8,225') and Forcella Col dei Bos (2,331m / 7,648') and gradually descend along the line of trenches. Reach the main road that goes from Cortina to Passo Falzarego, cross it and climb through forests to the fascinating, renowned Cinque Torri area and its rifugios. From here the incredible vistas around, including the Pale di San Martino, Civetta, Monti del Sole and the Marmolada with its shrinking glacier. Take some time to relax, and in the afternoon descend to the south to Passo Giau and rand your rifugio for the night (2,236m / 7,336')

(~6-7 hours hiking 17.7km / 10.9 miles, 1,103m / 3,621' ascent, 1,541m / 5,058' descent, option for a shorter hike, using the Lagazuoi cable car, not included.)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Rifugio Col Gallina

Day 6: Pelmo & Civetta Massifs (BD)

After breakfast, from your rifugio, pass a chapel, and begin to hike uphill to the rear of grassy Col Piombin, that takes its name from a past mining activity. The trail leads over the Forcella Giau (2,360m / 7,742') with plenty of ups and downs; here the views of the Tofana and Monte Cavallo are inspiring, not to mention the mountains on display to the south: Monte Fromin, Cernera, Pelmo and the upswept flank of Monte Mondeval.

Along the hike, you will have great views of the majestic Sorapiss, the unmistakable pyramid of Antelao and far off the Cadore Dolomites. All of a sudden, the Pelmo (3,168m / 10,394') will be incredibly close, and at this range it's easy to understand why it was dubbed 'Throne of the Gods'. The last part of the day leads below Pelmo's north face, (which is 1,006m / 3,300' straight up to the top) to your comfortable mountain Rifugio at Passo Staulanza (1,783m / 5,850'), your home for tonight.

(~ 5 hours hiking 12,5km / 7,8 miles, 487m / 1,597' ascent, 946m / 3,105' descent.)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Rifugio Staulanza

Day 7: Civetta Massif (BD)

Departing Passo Staulanza, you'll hike by several farms and join a popular trail that climbs to the shoulder of Monte Coldai, anchoring one end of the famous Monte Civetta. After stopping for lunch at Lago Coldai, continue to the Col Negro di Coldai that looks over at the towering west face of Monte Civetta. This "wall of walls" extends for over 4 miles (6km)! About midway past this wall, you climb to your rifugio, perched on mountaintop with views to the Val Civetta, down the Alleghe Valley and west to the Marmolada Glacier. This overnight stop is unforgettable.

(~5,5 hours hiking 10.8km / 6.7 miles, 1,130m / 3,707' ascent, 644m /2,113' descent)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Rifugio Tissi

Day 8: Civetta & Moiazza to Passo Duran (B)

From the rifugio, descend to the Val Civetta over the Col Rean, through beautiful, open, green meadows to the narrow valley of Val Corpassa. The route takes you right below the sheer rock faces of the Torre Venezia (2,337m / 7,667') and the Torre Trieste (2,458m / 8,064'), both rising some 600 meters (2,000') vertically from the valley floor. You may even get to see some climbers ascending these impressive towers! Pass by the Rifugio Vazzoler and ascend steeply through a dense forest to Forcella de l'Orso. Reach Forcella del Camp (1,933m / 6,341') and you will get the breathtaking spectacle of the Moiazza Sud. Continue hiking to the near Rifugio Bruto Carestiato (1,839m / 6,033'). Continue to Rifugio San Sebastiano, following a clear white gravel lane across pasture clearings and light wood (~40-minute hike). From Rifugio San Sebastiano you'll have your transfer back to Cortina.

(~7 hours hiking 15.6km / 8.4 miles, 983m /3,225' ascent, 1,649m / 5,410' descent)

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel Beppe Sello (Cortina)

Day 9: Depart Cortina (B)

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Breakfast and departure on your own (private transfer on request).

Meals included: Breakfast

Pricing

9-Day Dolomites Alta Via 1 Full Trek

Prices are Per Person and Valid for Trips through December 31, 2024

# People in Group: 2-3 4+
Guided: $5795 $3995
Self-Guided: $2295 $2095
*** Contact Us for other itinerary and lodging options! ***

NOTE: Prices are per person in U.S. dollars based on double/triple occupancy. All quotations are based on the current rates of park fees, VAT, other government taxes, and current exchange rates. Should any of these be increased or a new tax introduced, these increases will be added on even if your trip has already been paid for.

INCLUDES:
  • All accommodations per itinerary
  • All meals per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
  • All tours and entrance fees per itinerary (unless listed as excluded)
  • All transportation and transfers per itinerary
  • Trip briefing
  • Logistics and map of the area
  • 2 nights accommodation in 3-star B&B in Cortina D'Ampezzo
  • 6 nights accommodation in charming rifugios (shared dormitories HB)
  • Transfers in the area on days 2 and 8 (these services may be shared with other guests)
EXCLUDES:
  • International and domestic flights
  • Meals not listed
  • Beverages and alcohol
  • Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff
  • Optional tours
  • Single room supplement
  • Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
  • High season supplement -- July 14 to September 8: 15% surcharge
  • Luggage Transfer to Rifugio (available at extra cost)
  • Private room in Rifugio ($55/person/night double/triple occupancy)
  • Single room in Cortina
  • Local bus, cable car, and chairlift transfers
  • Airport transfers available on request
  • Upgraded accommodations

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